Dita Von Teese - Los Angeles, United States

She is elegant, sexy and the embodiment of a timeless fashionista. Dita Von Teese is known as the queen of burlesque, but with her head-turning personal style she is a fashion icon as well. However, she doesn’t let both occasions intertwine with each other. “I maintain a very distinctive difference between my onstage style and my offstage style, so I wouldn’t say that burlesque influences the way I dress. I wouldn't ever wear anything I wear onstage in real life,” says Dita.Her amazing eye for fashion was formed when she was a little girl. “My earliest fashion memory is arguing with my mother about wearing my only fancy dress to school every day, and wanting shiny black patent leather shoes. I constantly fantasized about being a grown lady that could pick out her own clothes! I was most influenced by the women in the classic 40s films my mother liked to watch. The 40s were particularly interesting for me, especially the beauty of red lipstick in Technicolor. I was also enamoured with my Great Aunt Opal, who wore green eye shadow, red lipstick, heavy eyeliner and had bright red hair and smoked with a cigarette holder.”



Dita grew up in Michigan and she believes that being from such an un-glamorous place has shaped her goal of creating her own glamour. Today she describes her style as nostalgic, but timeless and sensual. “I love to exude sexuality by being covered up. I never wear skirts above the knee, and I love the layers, stockings, garters, gloves and veils. I feel sexiest dressed to the nines, baring very little flesh. It creates mystery and glamour, and it's always age-appropriate. I won't need to change my style much when I'm 60 or 70.” So, who better to give us a style tip than the embodiment of classic style? “Be more daring, try something new. Don't buy clothes that are "of the moment", that "IT" thing that is so popular will be dated, especially after all the magazines have exploited it and we all remember when, where, what.” And she even likes to share her style secret with us! “My style secret to looking pulled together is mastering the art of the quick chignon, swipe of powder, lipstick and sunglasses, plus a fabulous coat!”



When it comes to Dita’s style choices she opts for black instead of colour clothing. “Black is always chic and you can't go wrong, so when in doubt choose black. It's a showcase for a woman's beauty. Accent it with jewellery, or a bright red or fuchsia lip.” A red lip is something that Dita believes will never be out of fashion. In a men’s wardrobe she likes simplicity as well. “I like men who dress simply and elegantly, without flash. I like traditional menswear,” she admits. It is obvious that Dita is not ordinary when it comes to glamour. And so isn’t her first moment that she felt like a fashionista. “Before anyone would lend me clothes, Jean-Paul Gaultier gave me free reign to wear anything from his haute couture archives…"even to the grocery store", he said. And meanwhile, stylists ask me all the time how I was able to borrow from it, because he doesn't let just anyone wear his clothes; it's very personal for him,” explains Dita. And the extraordinaire goes on. “Being referenced in American Vogue for spearheading 40's era style was my most memorable fashion moment. I started dressing vintage because I couldn't afford designer clothes,” confides the burlesque star.



For the love of fashion Dita creates and performs burlesque shows. And she is rocking a stunning personal style. Wonder if there is anything more she dreams of in the world of fashion? “There is one beautiful Jean Paul Gaultier gown from the "Hussard" collection that I've borrowed twice. I've always wanted to own it and wear it again and again, so I would love to be able to afford it one day…”


Dita is having a lingerie collection coming out soon, a small dress line based on some favorite items in her vintage collection, and her first perfume. She has her own brand of signature stockings at this website and books, dvds, and other memorabilia at Dita.net

More about Dita? Check out Dita.net or follow her here.

Photo 1: P. Le Segretain
Photo 2: Ray Tamarra
Photo 3: Christopher Polk